Sounds familiar? Performing the same actions on LinkedIn® and other platforms daily. Soon, we think: “There must be more efficient ways to do this?” This often leads to searching for methods and tools to automate these actions.
Over the years, many tools have been developed to enable automation. Tools like Zapier help automate processes and save time. Simultaneously, we see the rise of similar tools specifically for LinkedIn®.
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But first, what is LinkedIn® automation?
LinkedIn® considers LinkedIn® automation to be the use of software, tools, or scripts to perform actions on the platform that a user otherwise would do manually. Initially, these tools were plugin-based, but when LinkedIn® started penalizing users, many of these tools migrated to a SaaS environment and became harder to detect.
What can you automate on LinkedIn®?
here are 4 main areas: networking, content posting, content engagement, and data scraping.
These actions can include:
The list of tools is nearly endless: from Dux-Soup to Phantombuster, to even Taplio. These platforms are often used by many people, but you risk a lot. And this even if you stay within the norms of normal LinkedIn® usage.
LinkedIn®’s policy explicitly prohibits (with the exception of content planning tools) this type of automated activity because it undermines the platform’s integrity, which can lead to reduced trust, a negative user experience, or even spam behaviour.
Why shouldn’t you do it?
The use of automation tools on LinkedIn® may result in restrictions or banning of your account if you engage in these practices. LinkedIn® encourages users to interact on the platform both organically and manually to maintain an authentic and professional environment. Data mining, the automated collection of data from websites, involves significant privacy risks. European legislation requires personal data to be processed fairly, lawfully and transparently, with the explicit consent of the individuals concerned. Unauthorised data extraction can lead to breaches of the GDPR, resulting in heavy fines (up to 4% of your company’s annual turnover) and legal consequences.
What can make matters worse is that the tools are used by individual users, while the fine will be charged to the company. Who will pay the fine?
In conclusion
Of course, now you think: “It won’t happen to me.” From experience, I can say that using automation tools can have a significant impact. The sanctions range from temporary suspension to complete removal from the platform. People around me deal with this daily, and I can assure you that LinkedIn® is unscrupulous about taking action.
As tempting as these tools and techniques are, building relationships takes time and effort.
And that’s precisely what makes LinkedIn® so valuable.
This blog is written in my own name.